Method and system for data transmission between a package mailbox and at least one central data processing unit in a logistic system

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a method and system for data transmission between a package mailbox and at least one central data processing unit in a logistic system for the operation of one or more package mailboxes. Events at a package mailbox are evaluated by means of a communication device, which transmits function requests corresponding to the events to the data processing unit. The data processing unit carries out the corresponding functions and optionally returns data to the communication device of the package mailbox.

The invention relates to a method and a system for data transmissionbetween a parcel compartment system and at least one central dataprocessing unit in a logistic system for the operation of one or moreparcel compartment systems.

The use of logistic systems is known for the distribution of goods. Thegoods to be distributed can be a wide array of products, materials andarticles. Logistic systems serve to organize and monitor thedistribution of the goods in question, for example, between warehouses,intermediate storage facilities, containers, vehicles, senders andrecipients via various routes of transportation. The functions oflogistic systems are advantageously adapted to the requirements in sucha way that the distribution of the goods can be optimized, for example,in terms of the routes of the transportation, the capacity utilization,the storage periods and the data transmission.

The applicant uses logistic systems especially for the distribution ofletters and goods shipments (packages, parcels), transportationreceptacles, pallets and containers. Here, the appertaining logisticsystems preferably serve to distribute shipments between a sender and arecipient, whereby, for example, important criteria are those having todo with the transportation speed, the use of warehouses and vehicles aswell as the transmission of shipment data.

In order to operate a logistic system involving multiple users, machinesand one or more logistics providers, certain information has to betransmitted to the various components of the system. This includes thenotification of users about events within the logistic system as well asthe communication between machines and data processing centers of thesystem.

In particular, the operation of parcel compartment systems forregistered users by one or more transportation or delivery companiescalls for a logistic system with various notification and communicationroutes. Such parcel compartment systems or machines are operated, forexample, by a postal service provider for registered users for whom adelivery agent deposits parcels or other shipments into a compartment ofthe system. Drop-off as well as pick-up procedures can be carried outnot only by the postal service provider that operates the logisticsystem, but also by other companies that are granted access tocomponents of the logistic system, including the filling of the parcelcompartments.

After a parcel has been deposited for the user, he has to be notified tothis effect. Moreover, the logistic system has to be informed, forexample, whether a user has picked up his parcel. Moreover, informationabout the registration of new customers, customer data, pick-updeadlines and COD amounts has to be exchanged within the logisticsystem.

In addition to notifications of the users of the system, there also hasto be communication between the parcel compartment systems and othercomponents of the logistic system. This includes, for example,communication with data processing centers of the postal serviceprovider that operates the parcel compartment systems.

The communication between one or more parcel compartment systems and atleast one data processing center encompasses the transmission ofinformation about certain events. These events include, for instance,drop-off and pick-up procedures by different groups of people. Thiscommunication also comprises the transmission of information that isneeded for the operation of the machines. This includes, for example,filling states, user data, identification codes, compartment data andpayment information.

German Utility Model 201 03 564 U1, for example, discloses a system fordelivering and receiving shipments which is particularly suitable fore-commerce. The system comprises several automatic delivery machines(ADM) into which shipments are deposited and from which they are pickedup. The system also comprises a LAMIS server-computer program forhandling the operations of the system.

The objective of the invention is to provide a method for datatransmission between a parcel compartment system and at least onecentral data processing unit within a logistic system for the operationof one or more parcel compartment systems that ensures effectivecommunication between the components.

Moreover, it is the objective of the invention to provide a system forcarrying out the method.

According to the invention, this objective is achieved in that events atthe parcel compartment system are evaluated by means of a communicationdevice, after which said communication device transmits functionmessages associated with the events to the data processing unit, wherebythe data processing unit carries out the corresponding functions and, ifapplicable, sends data back to the communication device of the parcelcompartment system.

The objective is also achieved by a system for carrying out the method.

A description will be given below of especially preferred embodiments ofmethod sequences of the communication procedure, which can beimplemented particularly advantageously in such a logistic systemcomprising one or more parcel compartment systems and at least one dataprocessing unit.

Advantages, special features and advantageous embodiments of theinvention ensue from the subordinate claims and from the presentationbelow of preferred embodiments making reference to the figures.

The figures show the following:

FIG. 1 a schematic depiction of data transmission within a logisticsystem for the operation of parcel compartment systems;

FIG. 2 the communication sequences during the delivery of a parcel by adelivery agent without an associated payment procedure;

FIG. 3 the communication sequences during the delivery of a parcel by adelivery agent with an associated payment procedure;

FIG. 4 the communication sequences during the delivery of a small packetby a delivery agent;

FIG. 5 the communication sequences during the delivery of a parcel by adelivery agent of a logistic provider;

FIG. 6 the communication sequences during the removal of a parcel withan expired storage period by a delivery agent;

FIG. 7 the communication sequences during the unscheduled removal of aparcel by a delivery agent;

FIG. 8 the communication sequences during the delivery of a returnparcel by a delivery agent;

FIG. 9 the communication sequences during the delivery of a parcel by aB2B recipient;

FIG. 10 the communication sequences during the pick-up of a parcel orsmall packet by a recipient without an associated payment procedure;

FIG. 11 the communication sequences during the pick-up of a parcel by arecipient with an associated payment procedure;

FIG. 12 the communication sequences during the pick-up of a B2B parcelby a recipient;

FIG. 13 the communication sequences during the retrieval of personaldata;

FIG. 14 the communication sequences during the blocking of accounts;

FIG. 15 the communication sequences during the time synchronization;

FIG. 16 the communication sequences during the checking of the validityof profiles;

FIG. 17 the communication sequences during the checking of the validityof recipient information;

FIG. 18 the communication sequences during the downloading of userprofiles;

FIG. 19 the communication sequences during the query about the fillingstatus of compartments by logistic providers;

FIG. 20 the communication sequences during the query of requestintervals.

Especially preferred embodiments of the invention will be described onthe basis of the figures and description.

The invention relates to the communication sequences during the exchangeof information between a parcel compartment system and at least onecentral data processing unit of a logistic provider. Such parcelcompartment systems or machines are operated, for example, by a postalservice provider for registered users for whom a delivery agent depositsparcels or other shipments into a compartment of the system. Drop-off aswell as pick-up procedures can be carried out not only by the postalservice provider that operates the logistic system but also by otheraffiliated companies that are granted access to components of thelogistic system, including the filling of the parcel compartments.

The central data processing unit is designated as P24B in the drawingsof the figures, whereas the parcel compartment system is marked as M.These parcel compartments of the system can have differentconfigurations. They preferably have one or more areas for depositingshipments, whereby the areas can be configured as individual lockablecompartments or as continuous elevator cages that can be positioned by atransport mechanism in front of at least one lockable opening.

Basically, the communication sequences according to the invention looklike this:

1. Activities by delivery agents, customers or a timer at the parcelcompartment system are events that trigger the transmission of functionmessages to the central data processing unit. A communication device ofthe parcel compartment system evaluates the events and associates themwith the appertaining function messages. A function message is present,for example, in the form of an XML file that is transmitted via an httppost request. However, other formats can also be used. In an especiallypreferred embodiment of the invention, the function message consists ofa function name and a set of parameters.

2. The central data processing unit responds with an XML file. This XMLfile contains the result of the function message. The result of thefunction message is a status code that indicates the success or failureof the execution of the function. If the parcel compartment systemexpects to receive data in return, the data processing unit transmitsthe requested data (only if the execution of the function wassuccessful).

3. If necessary, the parcel compartment system stores the data that issent back by the data processing unit.

It has proven to be advantageous for the communication device of theparcel compartment system to collect events and data for latertransmission to the data processing unit. Several function messages arethen combined into one single request. A request can contain one or morefunction messages.

The following table shows examples of various user roles within alogistic system. Each user of a parcel compartment system can assume oneof these roles. The role determines the access rights to the system(parcel compartment systems and central data processing unit). Thesystem according to the invention uses role identifiers (role ID) whenit provides the parcel compartment system with user profiles. Thedesignation DPAG, which stands for Deutsche Post AG, describes anexample of a provider that operates a logistic system with parcelcompartment systems. The designation B2B refers to abusiness-to-business system in which companies have access tocompartments of the parcel compartment systems of the system operator.The designation Post24 stands for an example of a central dataprocessing unit of the operating company. Role ID Role 1 DPAG recipient2 DPAG delivery agent 3 B2B recipient 4 B22 delivery agent 5 Post24Master 6 Technician 7 Service employees (cleaning personnel, etc.)

The communication sequences between the parcel compartment systems andthe central data processing unit are explained with reference to FIGS. 1to 20.

The drawing in FIG. 1 schematically describes the sequences within alogistic system that consists of one or more parcel compartment systems20, each with a communication device 21, with at least the central dataprocessing unit 30, with various delivery agents 10 and with varioususers 40. The users are preferably registered users of the system. Thedelivery agents as well as the users have access to certain areas of theparcel compartment system as a function of the determination of theirspecific authorization. Such instances of access are, for example eventsthat are evaluated by the communication device 21 of the parcelcompartment system in question. The communication device associates theappertaining function messages with the events and sends them to thecentral data processing unit 30. In this process, it is advantageousthat additional data such as status codes and request IDs aretransmitted.

When the central data processing unit 30 receives the function message,an appertaining status code to confirm receipt is sent to thecommunication device 21. It also carries out the appertaining functionand, if applicable, sends data back to the communication device. In somecases, it is necessary to provide a registered user with informationabout the event at the parcel compartment system. For example, if aparcel is deposited for him, the central data processing unit triggers anotification containing, for example, the location of the parcelcompartment system, access codes or other information.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 2 uses arrows to describe thesequences during the delivery of a parcel to a parcel compartment system20 (M, machine) by a delivery agent 10 (DA, Delivery Agent) without Cashon Delivery (COD), that is to say, without a payment procedureassociated with the delivery. The central data processing unit 30 isdesignated as P24B and the users/customers 40 are designated as N. Thedelivery agent 10 logs in at the communication device 21 of the parcelcompartment system 20 and, in this case, deposits a parcel of the systemoperator.

Preferably, data located on the parcel is read in during this procedure.Such data includes, for example, an Identcode of the system operatorthat is assigned to the parcel and which is scanned in. Moreover, aCustomerID can be read in. Through this event of depositing,communication is triggered back and forth between the communicationdevice of the parcel compartment system and the central data processingunit.

The communication device 21 evaluates the event and associates afunction message with it. The function message is transmitted to thecentral data processing unit and on this basis, the central dataprocessing unit carries out the appropriate functions and, ifapplicable, sends data back to the communication device. The functionmessages can be transmitted individually or in batches. For example, thecommunication device transmits data such as the MachineID, the point intime of the depositing, the ParcelID, the parcel type, an Identcode, aCustomerID, various modes, the compartment type and the sender.Moreover, a company type can be transmitted. This is advantageous if theparcel compartment system is used by several transportation and deliverycompanies that have access to certain compartments of the parcelcompartment system.

The central data processing unit receives the data with the functionmessage and sends, for example, the maximum storage period back to theparcel compartment system. The latter can then store the ParcelID, theIdentcode and the maximum storage period.

The communication device of the parcel compartment system requests aprofile from the central data processing unit which then transmits acustomer profile.

This profile preferably contains at least a CustomerID, a releasestatus, a PIN and the role of the customer. If more than one recipientis transmitted with this profile, then the parcel can be picked up byall of the specified persons. The parcel compartment system assigns theprofile to the ParcelID and sends confirmation to the central dataprocessing unit that the profile has been received. If the request forthe customer profile is not successful, the communication device of themachine advantageously attempts another request. Only once thetransmission of the profile has succeeded does the communication devicesend a confirmation on the basis of which, at the end of thecommunication, the central data processing unit sends the user anotification that a parcel has been deposited.

The communication sequence in FIG. 3 describes the sequences during thedelivery of a parcel to a parcel compartment system by a delivery agentwith Cash on Delivery (COD), so that a payment procedure is required inconjunction with the delivery. The sequences are basically the same asthe communication for a parcel without COD and are merely augmented bythe element of the COD. Here, the parcel type changes from anIdentParcel to a CODParcel and the COD is read into the parcelcompartment system and stored there.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 4 describes the communicationsequences during the delivery of a small packet by a delivery agent 10without COD, whereby the small packet does not have an Identcode, sothat only the CustomerID is scanned in at the parcel compartment system.The sequences are basically the same as those of a parcel according toFIG. 2. They are merely augmented by the fact that the parcel type isdesignated as a NonIdentParcel.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 5 describes the sequencesduring the delivery of a B2B parcel by a delivery agent 10, whereby theparcel is deposited by an affiliated company that is not the operatingcompany of the logistic system. For example, that logistic system couldbe part of a postal service company that also uses an externaltransportation and delivery company such as Danzas. These parcels thenlikewise do not necessarily have an Identcode so that only theCustomerID is scanned in at the parcel compartment system. The parceltype is likewise designated as a NonIdentParcel whereas the sequencesare basically the same as for the communication pertaining to a parcel.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 6 describes the sequencesduring the removal of a parcel by a delivery agent 10, whereby thestorage period of the parcel has expired. The delivery agent 10 logs inand requests the next parcel with an expired storage period. If thecommunication device 21 finds a parcel with an expired storage period inthe parcel compartment system 20, it allows the delivery agent to openthe compartment in question and so that the parcel can be removed. Atthis time, all of the data relating to this parcel and to theappertaining customer is deleted from the parcel compartment system. Thecommunication device sends a function message to the central dataprocessing unit to the effect that a parcel has been removed. Then themode is set from 1 to 2 in order to indicate that an expired parcel hasbeen removed from the machine 20.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 7 describes the sequencesduring the unscheduled removal of a parcel by a delivery agent 10. Here,the storage period has not expired but rather, other circumstancesrequire the removal of the parcel. This can be the case, for example, ifthe parcel could not be processed by the parcel compartment system or ifrepair, maintenance or cleaning work are necessary.

The delivery agent logs in, whereby the ParcelID, the compartmentnumber, the CustomerID and/or the Identcode of the parcel are read in.He removes the parcel in question, all of the customer-related andparcel-related data is deleted and the communication device 21 sends afunction message to the central data processing unit to the effect thata parcel has been removed. Then the mode is set to 3 in order toindicate that there was an unscheduled removal of a parcel from themachine.

The communication sequence in FIG. 8 describes the sequence for theremoval of a return parcel by a delivery agent 10. The delivery agentlogs in and requests the next return parcel. If there is a return parcelin the parcel compartment system, then he opens the appropriatecompartment and removes the parcel. At this time, all of the datarelating to this parcel and to the appertaining customer is deleted fromthe machine. The communication device 21 sends a function message to thecentral data processing unit to the effect that a return has beenremoved. Then the mode is set to 4 in order to indicate that a returnparcel has been removed from the machine 20.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 9 describes the sequencesduring the depositing of a B2B parcel (returns) by a recipient 40 (B2Brecipient, B2BR). This is the case, for example, if a recipient makesuse of an external transportation and delivery company that has accessto a certain number of compartments of the machine. The recipient logsin with his CustomerID and places the parcel into a compartment of theparcel compartment system. The communication device 21 transmits to thecentral data processing unit a function message with the MachineID, thecompartment type, the ParcelID, the company type, the parcel type, theCustomerID, the mode and the point in time of the placement. The parceltype is a NonIdentParcel if the parcel does not have an Identcode of thesystem operator (e.g. postal service provider DP) and the mode is 2.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 10 describes the sequencesduring the pick-up of a parcel of the system operator by a recipient 40(DPE). The system operator can be, for example, a company such asDeutsche Post AG, so that such a recipient is designated as DPE in thefigures. The recipient 40 logs in with his CustomerID and a pick-up PIN,after which the communication device 21 sends a function message to thecentral data processing unit in order to request a profile. As itsresponse, the central data processing unit transmits the release status,among other things. If the release status is positive and if theCustomerID as well as the PIN are valid, the appropriate compartment canbe opened and the recipient can remove his parcel. The machine 20 sendsto the central data processing unit the appertaining data as well as theinformation that a parcel has been picked up and all of the customer-related and parcel-related data is deleted from the machine. If eitherthe release status is negative or if the CustomerID and/or the PIN arenot correct, then advantageously, the recipient is shown an errormessage and the compartment cannot be opened.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 11 describes the sequencesduring the pick-up of a parcel of the system operator by a recipient 40,whereby a payment (COD) is associated with the pick-up. The compartmentholding the parcel to be picked up is only opened if the account of therecipient is approved and the payment can be made.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 12 describes the sequencesduring the pick-up of a B2B parcel by a recipient (B2BE). Theycorrespond essentially to the sequences during picking up a DP parcelaccording to FIG. 10.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 13 describes the sequencesduring the retrieval of personal data by the communication device 21 ofthe central data processing unit 30. The prerequisite for such aretrieval is that there has to be a parcel for the customer in questionin the parcel compartment system. In order to retrieve the data, thecommunication device transmits a function message containing theMachineID and the CustomerID to the central data processing unit. Thelatter then sends the parcel compartment system, for example, the firstname, last name, title and form of address of the customer.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 14 describes the sequencesduring the blocking of an account. An account can be blocked by thecommunication device, for example, if unauthorized activities werecarried out at the user interface of the parcel compartment system. Forinstance, if the wrong PIN is entered three times, as described in thefigure, then the customer and his account can be blocked.

-   -   The communication sequence shown in FIG. 15 describes the        sequences during the time synchronization between the parcel        compartment system and the central data processing unit.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 16 describes the sequencesduring the checking of the validity of a customer profile. Through thesesequences, the communication device of the parcel compartment system isinformed about the latest data such as, for example, about PIN changesor blocking/unblocking of customer accounts.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 17 describes the sequencesduring the checking of the validity of recipient information. Throughthese sequences, the communication device of the parcel compartmentsystem is informed, for example, that a customer has appointed asubstitute recipient for the pick-up once the parcel has already beendeposited.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 18 describes the sequencesduring the downloading of a user profile and a delivery agent profilefrom the central data processing unit 30 to the communication device 21.Here, for example, the CustomerID, release status, PIN and role, e.g.delivery agent profiles, can be loaded into the parcel compartmentsystem.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 19 describes the sequencesduring the query of the current compartment capacities for a logisticprovider. Such logistic providers have a certain number of compartmentsof a certain size in the parcel compartment systems. With this functionmessage, the communication device 21 is enabled to retrieve a list ofthe compartment capacities.

The communication sequence shown in FIG. 20 describes the sequencesduring the query of request intervals, whereby the central dataprocessing unit responds to a function message with the MachineID of thecommunication device 21, for example, with the following requestintervals: time synchronization, personal data, CustomerID, ParcelID,machine profile, compartment distribution and request intervals.

The expiration of the individual time intervals, in addition to thedrop-off and pick-up procedures, likewise constitutes an event that thecommunication device 21 of the parcel compartment system evaluates, onthe basis of which it sends a corresponding function message to thecentral data processing unit.

Various errors can occur during the communication between the parcelcompartment system and the central data processing unit. These includeespecially connection errors, data processing errors or problems inexecuting the business logic. A function message always comprises asending component and a receiving component. Each of these componentscan be a communication device 21 of a parcel compartment system 20 or acentral data processing unit 30. Several function messages withparameters are preferably combined to form one single request. In orderto reliably execute the communication, each request that is transmittedby a parcel compartment system or by the central data processing unitshould be confirmed. It has proven to be advantageous that, as aresponse to a function message, a status code is sent that representseither an error code or a code for the success of the request for eachfunction message. If the function message requires the receipt of datain return, this data can be transmitted together with the status code.

If a function message is not answered within a certain period of time,the sender has to send the request once again. In order to ensure thecorrect execution of repeated requests on the sender and recipient side,an unambiguous RequestID is associated with each request. Thisidentification is sent, for instance, with the XML file. The sameidentification then has to be sent with the response XML file of theoriginal recipient. The RequestID gives the sender and the recipient ofa request various checking possibilities. For one thing, it can checkwhether the same function was requested several times. Secondly, aresponse can be associated with a function message.

List of Reference Numerals:

-   -   10 delivery agent of various logistics companies    -   20 parcel compartment system    -   21 communication device of a parcel compartment system    -   30 central data processing unit    -   40 user, customer

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method for data transmission between a parcelcompartment system and at least one central data processing unit foroperating at least one parcel compartment systems having acommunications device, the method comprising the steps of collectingevents at a parcel compartment system by the communication device thecommunication device associating function messages with the events,combining the function messages into one single request and transmittingthe request to the data processing unit the data processing unitexecuting the functions corresponding to the events depending on thetransportation or delivery company or user affected by the event and, ifapplicable, sending data back to the communication device.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the events at the parcel compartment systemcomprise depositing and/or picking-up shipments.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein the events at the parcel compartment system comprise theexpiration of time intervals.
 15. The method of claim 1, comprisingproviding each request with an unambiguous RequestID.
 16. The method ofclaim 4, comprising the sending component sending the RequestID with therequest to the receiving component, and sending the response to theappertaining request back with this RequestID.
 17. The method of claim12, comprising the receiving component confirming each function messagewith a status code that indicates the success or failure of the functionmessage.
 18. The method of claim 17, comprising the sending componentrepeating the function message if the receiving component has not sentback a status code within a certain period of time.